Raw chicken is only good for two days according to the USDA. Heres what you need to know.
Im a big fan of using meat delivery services to have the fixings for dinner delivered right to my door. Getting fresh chicken has made figuring out what to cook up on week nights easier, but I dont always eat everything, and often use the leftovers for lunches. However, I know chicken doesnt have a long shelf life, even after cooking. I recently realized that I might have been flirting with food poisoning by eating chicken that started to turn.
It is especially important to do this now that summer is almost here, since chicken is more likely to get E than beef. coli and other food-borne illnesses. Thats why you never want to eat bad chicken, and storing it properly is key to avoiding sickness.
The USDA says that chicken can only be cooked and eaten 48 hours after it is bought, but that’s just a safety measure and doesn’t mean that the bird is bad.
If youre wondering whether or not your chicken is bad or how long it is good for in the fridge, we have answers. Here, we explain how long chicken typically lasts in the fridge and freezer — both cooked and uncooked — and how to know when its time to put that poultry out to pasture.
Since I have a food blog, I get asked a lot about how to keep food safe and how to store it. People often want to know how long they can keep a raw whole chicken in the fridge before it goes bad. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how long raw chicken can stay in the fridge so you can store it correctly and avoid food waste and illness.
Overview
Raw chicken is highly perishable and can go bad quickly if not stored properly According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw chicken should only be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking or freezing.
For food safety, it’s important not to exceed this timeframe. Contaminants like Salmonella and E. E. coli can grow quickly on raw chicken over time, making you more likely to get sick from food. Proper storage helps slow this growth.
Below, I’ll go into more detail on signs of spoilage, fridge storage tips, and freezing guidance so you can get the maximum shelf life out of your raw chicken.
How Long Raw Chicken Lasts In The Fridge
The shelf life of raw chicken depends on the type of cut:
- Whole chicken: 1-2 days
- Chicken breasts: 1-2 days
- Chicken thighs/drumsticks: 1-2 days
As you can see, the recommended fridge life is quite short across the board. The clock starts as soon as you bring the raw chicken home from the grocery store.
USDA and FDA guidelines state raw chicken should be cooked within 1-2 days, even if the sell-by or use-by date hasn’t passed yet. Chicken is highly perishable so don’t rely on those dates as an indicator of safety.
To maximize freshness, store the chicken on the bottom shelf of the fridge at 40°F or below. Put it in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag to contain any leaks. Raw chicken juices can contaminate other foods and spread bacteria.
Signs Of Spoiled Raw Chicken
Don’t risk eating raw chicken that may have spoiled. Look for these signs before cooking it:
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Slimy texture – Fresh raw chicken feels firm and moist. Discard if it’s sticky, tacky, or slimy.
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Raw chicken should be pink, white, or yellow, not gray. Gray, green or blue tones indicate spoilage.
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Off odors – Raw chicken has a mild odor. A sour, ammonia-like or bad egg smell means spoilage.
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Discoloration – Yellowing fat or bruising also indicates the chicken is past its prime.
If in doubt, throw it out! Food poisoning from chicken isn’t worth the risk.
Proper Raw Chicken Fridge Storage
Storing raw chicken properly helps maximize its fridge shelf life:
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Refrigerate promptly – Refrigerate chicken within 2 hours of purchasing it. Don’t leave it at room temperature.
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Use clean containers – Store chicken in a clean, sealed container or resealable bag. This prevents leaks.
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Place on bottom shelf – Store chicken on the bottom shelf where temps are coldest.
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Keep raw chicken separate – Store raw chicken away from ready-to-eat foods like produce to avoid cross-contamination. Place chicken on bottom shelves.
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Watch fridge temperature – Maintain your refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to monitor.
Following these simple fridge storage guidelines can help keep your raw chicken fresh and safe to eat within the recommended 1-2 day timeframe.
Freezing Raw Chicken For Longer Storage
If you don’t plan on cooking your raw chicken within 1-2 days of purchasing, freeze it right away for longer storage.
Here are some freezing tips:
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Freeze immediately – For best quality, freeze chicken within 1-2 days of buying it.
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Use air-tight packaging – Place chicken in freezer bags, plastic wrap or air-tight containers. This prevents freezer burn.
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Label packages – Include the freeze date so you know how long it’s been stored.
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Max storage times:
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Whole chickens: 1 year
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Chicken breasts/cut-up parts: 9 months
Properly frozen, raw chicken will retain quality for max storage times. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
The Takeaway
Follow the 1-2 day USDA/FDA recommendation for fridge storage. Cook or freeze chicken within this timeframe. Also, inspect chicken for signs of spoilage before cooking. With proper storage and handling, you can enjoy delicious chicken dishes without the worry of foodborne illness.
Does raw chicken have a natural smell?
Not usually. Most raw chicken doesn’t have a strong smell, and if it does, it might mean that something is wrong. Still, some chicken farms and poultry producers add rosemary extract to turkey and chicken meat that has been ground up to stop the meat from going bad. If you smell a faint herby smell in your ground chicken or turkey, but its been stored properly and is within the sell-by dates and also within one or two days since you bought it, it may be the rosemary youre smelling and not spoiled chicken.
How long is cooked chicken good for in the fridge?
Cooked chicken has a far lower likelihood of developing bacteria but it can still make you sick if you wait too long to eat it, even if it has been stored in the fridge. The USDA recommends you eat chicken within four days of cooking it. Like raw chicken, it should also be stored at under 40 degrees F to avoid rapid spoiling.
How long can you keep raw chicken in the fridge?
FAQ
Is raw chicken ok in the fridge for 5 days?
No, raw chicken is generally not safe to eat after being refrigerated for 5 days. The USDA recommends refrigerating raw chicken for only 1-2 days.
How long can I leave a whole raw chicken in the fridge?
Raw chicken lasts in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cooked chicken lasts 3–4 days. To detect if chicken has gone bad, check the “best if used by” date and look for signs of spoilage like changes in smell, texture, and color. Avoid eating spoiled chicken, as it can cause food poisoning — even if you cook it thoroughly.
Can I eat a rotisserie chicken after 5 days?
It is generally not recommended to eat rotisserie chicken after 5 days. The USDA recommends using cooked chicken within 3 to 4 days when properly refrigerated.
Is 3 days too long for raw chicken?
Key Points: Raw chicken can stay in the fridge for one to two days, but cooked chicken can stay there for three to four days. Raw chicken pieces can be frozen for up to 9 months, and whole chickens can be frozen for up to 1 year.